Open House - do you learn anything new from these?
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Anonymous
| Debating whether to go or not. Pretty sure I won't learn anything that will change my mind about listing in lottery. |
Anonymous
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Well, you never know what they might say. And sometimes when things don't go as planned or someone does their job poorly, that's something you wouldn't have known.
Some DCPS schools are really great, but don't market themselves super well because they have enough students already. So they aren't pushing as much information out to you, but if you go in the building you may like what you see. It's also your chance to compare their physical space with the claims they make. For example if they say everyone is physically active at recess even when it rains, and you ask how that works space-wise, that may reveal something. Or if they are touting their wonderful computer lab but you see it and it's tiny. |
Anonymous
| As a parent leader who helps design open houses... if there are things that would make them useful and worth your time, I'd love to hear them! |
Anonymous
Upper elementary parents Information about differentiation |
Anonymous
| I think there is benefit to taking in the school culture and seeing the physical space. |
Anonymous
| For middle school, definitely. For preK, we only toured the school once we got off the waitlist. |
Anonymous
last night's Latin open house was heavy on vision/pedagogy but super light on logistics and details. It would be great if schools could develop a one-pager that had logistic info (hours, costs for aftercare, sample clubs available, class sizes, sample daily/weekly schedule) and other FAQs so families could take that away and refer to it as they make their lottery choice. didn't hear until a very noisy tour later on that high schoolers had a different uniform requirement than middle schoolers, for instance, or what the school did to support college counseling. |
Anonymous
I had to really chase down info about special education. When a school tells me that they support all types of learners AND provides evidence along with actual expertise, it tells me a lot about whether the school actually walks the walk. The sped coordinator should be there plus a sped teacher. I want to tour the classrooms because I want to confirm that there are sensory seats and earmuffs available for teachers to offer students. I want to see a "quiet room" for kids who need a break. Latin's principal did a wonderful job with stuff like this when we were looking. |
Anonymous
As a teacher this is what I would go for. Look at how teachers speak to kids, are they grabbing their hands to walk them down the hall, listen to closed classrooms as you walk by. Are other kids running around, is there general order in the building, do displays look torn apart or neatly maintained, are posters current or from the start of the pandemic, etc. |
Anonymous
| Yes, as a middle school parent, I want to know more about the curriculum. What classes will kids take and when. Sample of books read, math assignments, etc. is there differentiation for advance learners? What is the homework load? Etc. |
Anonymous
How are kids placed in advanced coursework if that's a thing-- how can I ensure an incoming student is appropriately placed. What is the school's approach to handling behavior issues. |
Anonymous
Absolutely you should go. I’ve gone to open houses to popular schools which I thought might be a potential and took it off the list after seeing presentation, facilities, and talking to admins or parents. The immersion charter DS currently attends, we were not sure about until I went and talked to principal, parents, etc.. Years later we have been happy with our choice. As to middle school, you should definately go and take your child whose opinion should have some weight in the decision. |
Anonymous
There are a lot of non-tangibles you learn about at open houses. I would never enroll my child in a school I haven't visited. |
Anonymous
This is DC. Advanced coursework violated tenants of "equity" and therefore must be secretly provided. (Looking at you SH) |
Anonymous
Secretly provided to the landlords of equity? |